Evaluating f-element bonding from structure and thermodynamics.

The practical goal to measure and understand the thermodynamic properties of molecules and materials containing f-elements is often achieved through indirect methods. Of the characterization tools available to inorganic chemists, few are more powerful than X-ray crystallography. Yet for lanthanides and actinides, interpretation of a bond length is a challenging undertaking that involves a complex interplay of steric and electronic forces.

Covalent lanthanide chemistry near the limit of weak bonding: observation of (CpSiMe3)3Ce-ECp* and a comprehensive density functional theory analysis of Cp3Ln-ECp (E = Al, Ga).

Experimental evidence for the existence of two new lanthanide-metalloligand adducts (CpSiMe(3))(3)Ce-ECp* (E = Al, Ga) is presented. Paramagnetic (1)H NMR titration experiments were employed to derive thermodynamic parameters for Ce-Ga dative bond formation, and competition experiments with the U analogue were performed. Density functional theory calculations were undertaken using model complexes Cp(3)Ln-ECp where Ln = La-Lu and E = Al, Ga.

Theoretical investigation of the rubicordifolin cascade.

The results of a theoretical investigation on the complex cascade reaction leading to the natural product rubicordifolin are reported. These computations analyze the discrete transformations that are required during the conversion of the vinyl naphthoquinone starting material into the natural product, including two pseudopericyclic cyclizations as well as a diastereoselective, hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.

Cyanide-bridged Fe(III)-Mn(III) bimetallic systems assembled from the fac-Fe tricyanide and Mn Schiff bases: structures, magnetic properties, and density functional theory calculations.

Reaction of [(Tp)Fe(CN)(3)](-) [Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate] with respective Mn(III) Schiff bases led to the formation of four dimeric molecules, [(Tp)Fe(CN)(3)][Mn(1-napen)(H(2)O)].MeCN.4H(2)O [1; 1-napen = N,N'-ethylenebis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylideneiminato) dianion], [(Tp)Fe(CN)(3)][Mn(5-Clsalen)(H(2)O)] [2; 5-Clsalcy = N,N'-(trans-1,2-cyclohexanediylethylene)bis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato) dianion], [(Tp)Fe(CN)(3)][Mn(2-acnapen)(MeOH)].

A comparison of 4f vs 5f metal-metal bonds in (CpSiMe3)3M-ECp* (M = Nd, U; E = Al, Ga; Cp* = C5Me5): synthesis, thermodynamics, magnetism, and electronic structure.

Reaction of (CpSiMe(3))(3)U or (CpSiMe(3))(3)Nd with (Cp*Al)(4) or Cp*Ga (Cp* = C(5)Me(5)) afforded the isostructural complexes (CpSiMe(3))(3)M-ECp* (M = U, E = Al (1); M = U, E = Ga (2); M = Nd, E = Al (3); M = Nd, E = Ga (4)). In the case of 1 and 2 the complexes were isolated in 39 and 90% yields, respectively, as crystalline solids and were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and UV-visible-NIR spectroscopy. In the case of 3 and 4, the complexes were observed by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy but were not isolated as pure materials.

Mechanistic studies on Au(I)-catalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements using cyclopropane probes.

A comparative study of the Au(I)-catalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of propargylic esters and propargyl vinyl ethers is described. Stereochemically defined cyclopropanes are employed as mechanistic probes to provide new synthetic and theoretical data concerning the reversibility of this type of rearrangement. Factors controlling the structure-reactivity relationship of Au(I)-coordinated allenes have been examined, thereby allowing for controlled access to orthogonal reactivity.

A heterobimetallic complex with an unsupported uranium(III)-aluminum(I) bond: (CpSiMe3)3U-AlCp* (Cp* = C5Me5).

A heterobimetallic complex with the first unsupported bond between an actinide and a group 13 element, (CpSiMe3)3U-AlCp* (Cp* = C5Me5) (1), was synthesized by reaction of (CpSiMe3)3U and 1/4(Cp*Al)4 in toluene. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the U-Al bond exhibits some covalent character resulting from a Cp*Al-->U charge-transfer.

Scope and mechanism of formal S(N)2' substitution reactions of a monomeric imidozirconium complex with allylic electrophiles.

The zirconium imido complex Cp2(THF)Zr=NSi(t-Bu)Me2 (1) reacts with allylic ethers, chlorides, and bromides to give exclusively the products of the SN2' reaction; i.e., attack at the allylic position remote from the leaving group with migration of the double bond.

Oxygen-centered hexatantalum tetradecaimido cluster complexes.

The syntheses and characterization of several octahedral hexatantalum cluster compounds of formula (ArN)14Ta6O are described (Ar=Ph, p-MeC6H4, p-MeOC6H4, p-t-BuC6H4, p-BrC6H4, m-ClC6H4). Treatment of Bn3Ta=N-t-Bu (Bn=CH2C6H5) or pentakis(dimethylamido)tantalum with an excess of the appropriate aniline and stoichiometric water or tantalum oxide afforded varying yields of arylimido clusters. The structures of two species were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the identity of the central oxygen atom was elucidated by electrospray mass spectrometry (MS) using 17O/18O-enriched material.